Published: August 27, 2009 03:31 pm      

GARY'S WORLD: Good characters don't come along often

Of all the people I have met and have come to know in my life, I can honestly say there aren't many who lived the kind of life and were the type of great character as my friend Larry Frazier.

He was a shining example of a great person and a role model to many. He was the kind person that any true Christian strives to be.

My wife, Kim, and I were deeply saddened to learn of his death earlier this week. I had to go outside and leave the office for a few minutes after I found out. It's just that Larry was the type of person you don't meet anymore. That in itself saddens me greatly.

Kim and I were blessed to meet Larry and June Frazier shortly after moving to Tennessee nearly 20 years ago. It was through attending Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church that we became friends.

Larry simply was one of the kindest people I have ever known. He was always in a positive frame of mind and he never had a bad thing to say about anyone. Period.

We talked often and I never heard him complain about anyone or anything. There aren't too many people in the world you can say that about. He reminded me a lot of my own grandpa who lived to be 94. My grandpa was a World War I veteran, was married to my grandma for 63 years, until she passed away, and never complained or griped about anything.

Like Larry, they both were thankful to be alive, always kept a positive attitude, didn't expect anything from anyone and loved living in our great country.

Larry and June came to Tennessee from Indiana and were proud of it.

He may have been an Indiana Hoosier, but I know first-hand that Larry was a living example of a Tennessee Volunteer. Anyone who knew Larry can attest to that.

He was involved in many things both at the church and in our community. Larry was extensively involved with the Lions Club and our local chapter of Habitat For Humanity, of which June was the founding president. I can't list all the groups he was involved in so I won't even try. He has volunteered for hundreds of things and was always happy to help.

Larry always supported his wife June and whatever project she was involved. They were married for more than 60 years.

After meeting the Fraziers, I immediately found out we had one thing in common — Indiana.

We were both from Indiana. My mother was an Indiana University graduate, as was Larry, and she was as proud as Larry.

He was a true IU (Indiana University) fan. I often would see Larry driving along Peavine Rd. or in town and I would instantly recognize him by the Indiana Hoosiers license plate.

A retired teacher and principal and educator for more than 30 years, Larry had an unparalleled work ethic.

Each year at our church there is an annual rummage sale. Larry was always one of the workers. I volunteered many years to come in on Saturday at the end of the sale and help break everything down.

Larry was always one of the men doing this and he was hard working — especially for being in his 80s at the time.

He gave everything his best effort and did it with enjoyment.

To look at him recently, you would never expect that this man was 93.

He was also a proud World War II veteran, but never boasted about being such.

Larry was always supportive and encouraging to anyone he was around, but he was especially encouraging to my wife as she struggled to work full-time, raise two young children and attend classes in order to finish getting her teaching degree.

"Just hang in there and you'll get it done," he would say.

I will never forget what he said to me when Kim graduated from college in 2005.

"Your wife is going to be one of the best teachers. She'll be a good one," he said.

Coming from Larry that meant a lot to us.

With working more than one job and on the weekends over the past couple of years, I haven't seen Larry as often. Whenever I would see him, though, he always greeted me with a big smile, firm handshake and warm hello.

He was always considerate and thoughtful of others. He would always take the time to ask me about my family, my children and my jobs. He'd always ask me how I was doing.

I know it wasn't just me and my family who Larry was like this with. I witnessed his concern and support with others frequently in the past.

Larry lived a full, long, happy life and he will be missed.

One thing I'm sad about is that I didn't get another opportunity to tell Larry just how much his handshake, concern and good character meant to me. I will never forget it.

May God bless and comfort his wife June and all of his close friends and family.

A celebration of Larry's life will be this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church. I have a feeling it will be well attended. Larry will always have a special place in our hearts.